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SPLAB KICKS OFF 2010-2011 SEASON AT NEW SPACE IN COLUMBIA CITY

Contact: Paul Nelson
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tel: 206-422-5002
E-mail: pen@splab.org

Seattle, WA, October 12, 2010—SPLAB is thrilled to announce its new location, in the Cultural Corner of the former Columbia School, in the heart of Columbia City in Seattle. They start off the season with a bang on October 17, welcoming Michael McClure to the Doe Bay Café on Orcas Island, where SPLAB curates the Doe Bay Literary Series.

In Seattle, SPLAB opens its doors to the community for an Open House on October 20, 2010 at their new space. On October 20, SPLAB, together with Cultural Corner artists Muse Indigo and Mary Sheldon Scott will host an Open House from 3-7pm, during the Columbia City Farmer’s Market. Stop by to find out more about SPLAB, say hello, and sample treats provided by Island Soul Restaurant and Salon Adidez.

Conveniently located just 2 blocks from the Columbia City Light Rail station, the Cultural Corner is a new arts space in Columbia City, and shares space with the Torah Day School. Situated in the Northeast wing, through the red double doors facing Edmunds Street, this space seeks to provide space for artists in the community.

On October 17 and 18, 2010, SPLAB welcomes beat poet Michael McClure to the Doe Bay Café on Orcas Island, where he will perform a public reading and screen the film Abstract Alchemist of the Flesh, a film about his life and work. Mention that you are attending the SPLAB series when you make your reservations at Doe Bay Resort and you’ll receive 25% off your stay!

McClure is the writer of 16 books of poetry, and has received numerous awards, including a Guggenheim Fellowship, an Obie Award for Best Play, an NEA grant, the Alfred Jarry Award, and a Rockefeller grant for playwriting. McClure has worked extensively Doors’ keyboardist Ray Manzarek, and his songs include “Mercedes Benz,” popularized by Janis Joplin. His journalism has been featured in Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, the L.A. Times and San Francisco Chronicle. His next two books are Of Indigo and Saffron from UC Press, and Mysteriosos and other poems from New Directions.

On Tuesday, October 26, SPLAB’s Living Room series kicks off. The cornerstone of SPLAB, this weekly writer’s critique circle welcomes writers of all ages and genres to share their work, or simply enjoy the engaging company of other writers. Living meets Tuesdays through May 31, 2011. (No meetings December 21-January 25)

SPLAB is an intergenerational writing, performance, resource and outreach center. Founded in 1997 in Auburn, Washington, by poets Paul Nelson and Danika Dinsmore, SPLAB makes its home in Seattle’s Columbia City neighborhood. SPLAB hosts a weekly writer’s critique circle, Living Room, every Tuesdays at 7pm in the Cultural Corner of Columbia School, at 3528 S. Ferdinand in Seattle. Entry is through the red double doors on Edmunds Street. For more SPLAB event information, visit www.splab.org.
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For more information, contact Paul Nelson at 206-422-5002.